116 No. 15 of 2010] (3) Agency— Patents and Companies Registration Agency There shall be paid from the funds of the the salaries, allowances, loans, gratuities and pensions of the staff of the Agency and other payments for the recruitment and retention of the staff; such reasonable travelling, subsistence and other allowances for members of the Board or any committee of the Board when engaged on the business of the Agency at such rates as the Board may, with the approval of the Minister, determine; and (c) any other expenses incurred by the Board in the Financial year Accounts Annual report performance of the Board's functions under this Act. (4) The Board may, with the approval of the Minister, invest in such manner as it considers appropriate such funds of the Agency as it does not immediately require for the discharge of its functions. 17. The financial year of the Agency shall be the period of twelve months ending on 31st December of each year. 18. (1) The Agency shall cause to be kept proper books of account and other records relating to its accounts. The accounts of the Agency shall be audited annually by the Auditor-General or such independent auditors as the AuditorGeneral may approve. The auditor's fees shall be paid by the Agency. 19. (1) As soon as practicable, but not later than ninety days after the end of the financial year, the Agency shall submit to the Minister a report concerning its activities during the financial year. The report referred to in subsection (1) shall include information on the financial affairs of the Agency and there shall be appended to the report— (a) an audited balance sheet; (6) an audited statement of income and expenditure; and (c) such other information as the Minister may require. The Minister shall, not later than seven days after the first sitting of the National Assembly next after receipt of the report referred to in subsection (1), lay the report before the National Assembly.